Codeine Cough Syrup Linked to Breathing Problems for Kids

July 2, 2015 — After European health officials warned that codeine cough syrups should not be used in children under 12 years old, the FDA has announced that it will open a safety investigation.

Codeine is converted into morphine in the body. The problem is that 1-7% of the general population (and up to 28% of certain ethnic groups) are “ultra-rapid metabolizers.” For these individuals, codeine is converted to morphine much faster than normal. High levels of morphine in the body can cause breathing difficulty, which may be fatal, especially for children.

Due to these risks, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has warned that cough syrups containing codeine should not be used by children, breastfeeding women, and anyone who is an “ultra-rapid metabolizer.”

The FDA has not asked manufacturers to update labels, but recommends:

“Parents and caregivers who observe unusual sleepiness, confusion, or difficult or noisy breathing in their child should seek medical attention immediately, as these are signs of overdose.”

The FDA is aware of the serious risks codeine poses to children. The agency has already issued warnings about children who were seriously injured or died after being given codeine after a tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. The FDA has also warned against giving over-the-counter cough and cold products to children under two years old.

Do I have a Drug Injury Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.

Free Case Evaluation

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiff’s law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firms reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.

No matter what type of case you have, you may contact us with confidence by filling out the email contact form below or calling us directly by dialing toll free 24 hrs/day (866) 920-0753.

First Name*

Last name*

Email*

Phone*

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Case Description

Search the Site

Search for:

Below is a partial list of the awards and recognition that the attorneys / lawyers at our law firm have been awarded with, as well as a list of professional memberships.

Contact Us With Confidence

AV® Peer Review Rated Law Firm - An AV® certification mark is a significant rating accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence. A lawyer must be admitted to the bar for 10 years or more to receive an AV® rating.